Cat Infects Colorado Man with Bubonic Plague

News

After accidentally being bit by his cat, Paul Gaylord is lucky to be alive. His cat had infected Gaylord with the plague.

Gaylord, who lives with his wife at the rural foothills of the Cascade mountain range in Oregon, recently told the Guardian how the incident occurred.

Gaylord, then 59, found his cat, Charlie, choking on a mouse after being missing several days in the woods one Saturday in 2012. Immediately Gaylord attempted to clear the cat's throat but was bit on his hand. The next day the cat was seen suffering enough to cause Gaylord to have the cat put down. However, it wasn't until Gaylord returned to his job on Monday that he realized just how sick Charlie had been.

After developing a high fever, flu-like symptoms, and large lumps in the glands under his arms, Gaylord was taken to the hospital by his wife. Doctors diagnosed him with bubonic plague.

"I knew rodents could carry the disease, but I didn't realize I could get it from my cat," Gaylord told the Guardian.

His condition worsened —also developing pneumonic (which infects the lungs) and septicaemic plague (which infects the bloodstream), even having his heart stop at one point — and ended up in a coma for 27 days.

"Technically, I shouldn't be here," Gaylord told the Guardian.

Despite losing several fingers and toes due to the severity of the infection, Gaylord says he feels positive and happy to be alive.

"I think it's just a fluke that I caught this," he said. "Now I hope to make people aware of the illness."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and health department eventually investigated Gaylord's home and surrounding area, even digging up his cat, Charlie, and sending it off to a lab where it was confirmed to have the plague. However, they were unable to find the dead rodent or any other sign of the disease.

Contrary to popular belief the Plague – sometimes referred to as "Black Death" due to its killing of millions during the Middle Ages — is still active around the world. According to the CDC, "People most commonly acquire plague when they are bitten by a flea that is infected with the plague bacteria."

Hold On, stranger!

Leaving Mobile Site

Disclaimer

The responses and information provided (“Services”) are not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment for your pet and should not be relied upon as a substitute to the clinical advice or care management by a treating veterinarian. No veterinary-client-patient relationship is created when you use the Services. The Services are to be used for educational and informational purposes only. See
Conditions of Use